On the other side of the mountains, the pirates and Ethan steadily made their way up the increasingly treachourous mountain range.
"We're here." Leonora said and they all jumped down into the hole leading into the mines.

They stopped as they saw the mine split into half a dozen different tunnels.
"One of these leads to Kohinoor.' Leonora said, "Cara, Ethan and Kehkashan, you take the far right. The rest of us will split up here."

Cara nodded and said cheerfully, "Come on boys." And led Ethan and Kehkashan into the tunnel.
Leonora and the rest of the pirates took a tunnel each and walked in.

The ice vultures screeched in unision. Nearly 20 feet in height, they were ugly, scally and very hungry. So three humans sauntering into their midst was a godsend.

"Trust Fate to give us the most dangerous cave." Cara cursed as she Ethan and Kehkashan ran away from the vultures who had seen their tasty meal running away and gave a hearty chase.

The three burst out into the open mountain terrain.
"Split up." Cara ordered.

Ethan turned his head and saw Cara drawing the vultures away from them towards herself.

Cara ran fast but the vultures were almost upon her.

"NO. CARA!!!" Ethan ran towards her.
One of the vultures turned and headed towards him but a wind attack hit him and he crashed into the snow, the vulture missed him screeching angrily, headed for Kehkashan who had thrown the attack.

Cara was nearly towards the edge of the mountains, her body moving in a fast blur as she attacked the deadly birds. But there were just too many.

"CARA!!!" Kehkashan screamed as one of the birds slashed her, a burst of blood appeared and Cara staggered back.
"CARA!!!" Ethan yelled as he raced towards her but he was too slow. Cara's eyes met his, a second later she disappeared down the edge of the mountain.

Conall rubbed his hand over his head and glared at the twins. Annoying twins with their annoying way of talking and annoying sameness...

'And now we are-' Tyrone started

'Nearly in Norra,' continued Taryn

'It's not far now,' they ended together. Conall sighed, and Kyle looked to Jess for a translation. She had been talking to the two almost none-stop, asking about them, their lives, their family... and so she had a much better grasap of their speech patterns than Kyle did, who had just listened in and caught the occasional word from them.

'Nearly there,' Jess translated, and he sighed. They trudged on through the jungle.

'Here is where we left them,' the twins said together, stopping by the lake where they had been taken captive by the water elves. 'There's a particularly territorial elf around here, and so we are going to move through quickly. We'll get to the mountains by nightfall.'

Kehkasha screamed their names, some of the ice vultures swooped down after Ethan and Cara and the rest came and attacked Kehkashan.

His body shaking, he ran, dodging the claws and beaks of the hungry birds and peered over the edge. A rasping sob tore out of him as he saw nothing but the glacial ravines.

The screeching birds attacked him and he didnt fight back. They're dead.... He kept thinking as the screaming vultures surrounded him.

****

Ethan and Cara fell, Cara's eyes were closed, the blood spreading around her front from the deep injury the birds had given her.

Ethan caught her arm and pulled her towards him as they fell through the chilly mountainside.

We're going to die. His mind screamed. He heard screechs above him and looked up to see the vultures chasing them.Shit. I have to do something. He though hugging the unconscience Cara tightly.His mind whirring for possibilities when suddenly, he felt something in his pocket start to vibrate.
"The bell..." He said and instictively, he knew what he had to do.
He closed his eyes and concentrated till he found the small ball of magic inside him, it seemed to be tied in knots.
With every ounce of power he possessed, He began undoing the knots, pain started in his chest and slowly spread to all his body as he undid each knot.
'Hurry, hurry..." He thought as they fell with the carnivorous birds getting closer.
He worked on each one till finally he did the last knot.
With an ear splitting shriek, the bell shattered.
****

Kehkashan, who had been leaning over the edge, flew back as an energy wave shot up from the ravines up towards the sky.
The birds who had been aiming to kill were thrust back by the force of the aura.
Kehkashan lay on the snow, breathing hard, a shape flew up from the mountain edge.
Kehkashan's eyes widened as he saw Ethan perched atop a huge eagle, Cara in his arms.
"Kehkashan. Take her." Ethan said as he gave over Cara to the speechless Kehkashan.

The vultures were circling the sky, obviously still too hungry to be afraid. Ethan's eyes glinted as he looked at them.
"Who is that?" Kehkashan finally spluttered, It cant be that tyke. he thought of the annoying baby eagle they had to put up with during the whole journey.
Ethan grinned, "His name is Articus. The Titan of Ice."

Kyle was sitting near a fire with the soldiers and the twins when they all saw the Aura wave shoot up at the sky.
He jumped to his feet, Jess ran out of her tent. "Kyle..."
"It's Ethan..." Kyle was already climbing atop his sherei. "I'm going after him." He stopped as Jess climbed up behind him, wrapping her slender arms tightly across his waist. "Im coming with you." She said and he looked at her then nodded and kissed her forehead. "Hold tight." He said and the sherei took off at blazing speed towards Ethan.
***
Ethan faced off the birds. "Looks like these guys wont let up." Ethan said as he faced the vultures who surrounded him.
"You ready?"
Articus nodded.
Ethan launched into a lethal attack.
***

The sherei sailed over mountain tops and sides as he carried Kyle and Jess towards the mountain.
"Kyle..." Jess gasped, grabbing his sleeve and pointing towards the sky.
Kyle followed her gaze and his mouth dropped open.

A beaitful eagle, was battling a horde of vultures in a fast, deadly battle.

"Its Ethan." Kyle managed to say and they both got off and stared in the sky in wonder as Ethan, gracefully perched ontop the Eagle, flew as if flying forever.

Doing a loop, Articus shot an ice beam, hitting the last vulture squarely on the chest. The Vulture froze and Articus slashed, shattering the ice sculptire into tiny pieces.
Ethan descended from the sky and gently landed on the snow next to Kehkashan and Cara. Articus the Ice Titan bowed his head to Ethan and then vanished and in his place a beautiful, average sized, eagle appeared.
"Master." The eagle said happily.
"I can hear you." Ethan grinned and raised his arm and the eagle landed on it.
"Yippeee...." The eagle said happily.
"Looks like he only grew up in body." Kehkashan said dryly then frowned, "Hey is that... people?"

Ethan looked over and froze. He closed his eyes and said, "Its a dream..." He muttered and shook his head then slowly opened his eyes.
"MOM! DAD!" He yelled as he took off running in the direction of his parents.

Jess was crying when she hugged her son. Ethan hugged her tightly then hugged Kyle. Both his parents seemed reluctant to let go of him.
"How did you find me?" Ethan asked incredously.
"Long story." Jess said with a teary smile.
"Was that your summon?" Kyle asked.
Ethan nodded then pointed to the Eagle who was hovering close. "Its my Familiar, Dad."
Kyle looked at the Eagle and then at Ethan and his eyes were shining with tears. "Good job." then pulled his son in a bear hug. "Im so glad to see you safe kiddo." He said gruffly.
****
The trip back to the King's castle was a festive one. The crew had managed to secure the stone and the reunion of Ethan with his parents put everyone in good moods.
The King was waiting impatiently for them and seeing Ethan with Kyle, he pulled the boy into a giant hug and wouldnt let go. He didnt even blink an eyelash when introduced to the PirateLord Leonora and treated her as jovially as any other guest and ordered a grand feast thrown for everyone.
It was a joyous occasion and a rare sight to see a Pirate and a King seating and eating at the same table.
After the feast, He invited the pirates to stay as his guests in the palace but the crew wouldnt hear of it. A good feast was all the hospitality they wanted from the King and they were eager to be on their way.
"You coming?" Cara asked Ethan as they took a stroll in the gardens before they departed.
Ethan thought about life at the sea. A vast adventure, the hard everyday life and fun companions, he smiled a bit sadly and shook his head. "It was great." He said with a grin to Cara, "But its a life I cant take."
"Your parents will stop you?" Cara frowned.
"No..." Ethan shook his head and leaned against a hedge. "But seeing my parents again. Im not ready to leave them yet." He grinned a bit ruefully. "I know I sound like a kid."
"No you dont." And Cara kissed his forehead. "But remember we're youre family too. Youre welcome back anytime, ya hear?"
Ethan nodded and gave her a hug then said goodbyes to the other crew mates.
"It was good knowing you kid." Leonora said and ruffled his hair. "Take care."

"Tarrog" Carin said, her voice full of sympathy
"Ah, its about time we head back home... isn't it?" Tarrog said as he stood up, it had been a few days after they where leaad through the forest by the elf, and now they stood on the forests edge, ready to journey back to Jahan, Tarrog received word that his father... the King, had fallen sick and that he was needed to take the place of his father, there where also rumors of something dark spreading in Jahan, and this could not be allowed, the three companions set off for Remus to find a boat.

This once peaceful sunny forest is now being attacked by a horrible blizzard, and it dosen't seem like it will stop anytime soon, the forest has frozen over and most of the animals have died or gone into a deep sleep, but they wont last long.

In the distance she heard the sound of a girl crying. She ran in the direction of the voice and found a small girl hiding in a copse of frozen trees. "Oh my! Are you ok?" she asks going over to the girl. The girl looks at her, "Y-yes, I'm fine." Aritzki picks her up, "Come on lets get you out of here." The little girl jumps free, "That's ok, I just need something from you." "What is it?" she asked looking puzzled. The girl smiled and an arrow pierced Aritzki through the lung and out sticking in the ground. The little girl smiled and said, "For you to hold still long enough for that to happen." Aritzki stumbled and felt for a hole but found none.

Aritzki looked at the arrow sticking in the snow and then looked down at where it had appeared to go through her. “I’m impressed. You actually had me seriously worried. You do have me confused on one thing though.” Aritzki pulled out her whip and slashed out at the little girl in quick, perfected motions. “Why did you do that?” she asked as she whipped the razor blades across the girls face.

Rizula saw a figure, out of the corner of her eye, hiding in the trees and snuck around and tackled her into the snow slashing at her with her claws.

The little girl backed away from Aritzki trying to stay out of reach of her whip. Aritzki kept moving towards her no longer playing games, she pulled out her Shuriken. She noticed the tree the girl was about to back into and smiled. “You can’t run away forever. You will have to fight me if you want to even consider the thought of walking away from here.”

"I don't have to do a thing now." She heard a yowl and turned. She saw Rizula on her back with the second girl looking down at her. She started to run to help her but fell to her knees feeling the strength leave her limbs. "I've already won." said the girl walking up. She pushed Aritzki over and walked over to the arrow. She picked it up and walked toward Rizula. She stood over the leopard and smiled back at Aritzki. Her last sight was of the arrow piercing Rizula's back.
She awoke to a warm feeling on her face. She opened her eyes to see Rizula standing over her and licking her face.

Aventh landed deep within the mountains of Mytlon setting Jess down he walked up to a cave and went inside, Jess following him
"So why are we here" Jess asked
"The Red Dragon Clan lives here, they refer to them selves as the guardians of life... I think they will be willing to help us with our... Uzkul infestation" Aventh said as they walked through the winding tunnels every once in a while stopping to to give Aventh time to look at a small map
"You seem to know this place well Aventh" Jess said "You have a map and everything"
"Ah well... when I became a wanderer I visited this place, I left some gear here that I will also be picking up" Aventh said
"Oh? A robe more fit for battle?" Jess asked
"No... its not a robe at all" Aventh said
Jess gave a small laugh "Really... I cant picture you in anything except for a robe" Jess said as they continued deeper into the cave
a glow appeared near the end of a long winding path and large roars and other noises could be herd "Looks like we are here" Aventh said, as they walked into a brightly lit chamber, the cavern was massive with floating fireball lighting it up everywhere, there were many... "Humans" inside the cave, Aventh told Jess that the "humans" were actually Dragons in a Human form, although Jess had guessed this when she saw massive Dragons flying around near the top of the cavern, they both walked up to a very elegant looking building and two guards wielding weapons and clad in heavy armor stepped in front of them.
"What business would two land walkers have with our queen" one guard said
"I am Aventh, Guardian of the Land and I come bearing dreadful news" Aventh said, the guards exchanged look and then looked back at Aventh and Jess "Wait here, we will send word to the queen" one guard said as another stepped inside of the large building.

It was several minutes until Aventh herd a familiar voice
"You still walk this world boy? and whats more! it seems you have been promoted to a Guardian!" a voice came, Aventh turned to see a familiar face, the man stood about 6feet in height and was slender, he was garbed in long elegant flowing robes his eyes green and his hair long and blonde, he gave out a very charismatic feeling.
"Galafar! it is good to see you my old friend" Aventh said as the two hugged and laughed, Galafar looked past Aventh and at Jess
"And you bring a Women too! haha! she is a fine women, a consort of yours?" Galafar asked, both Aventh and Jess gave a blush
"Galafar, you are as dull with human traditions as ever... she is only a friend of mine" Aventh said with a slight smile, his face still a bit red
Jess gave a fake cough trying to break the akward moment "Aventh... who is your friend?" she asked
"Ah yes... Jess, this is Galafar, he is an old acquaintance of mine and a Consort to Queen Shafar"
the took shook hands and exchanged words of meeting.
"Well then, shall I bring you too the queen Aventh?" Galafar asked
"yes, if you would please led the way" Aventh said, Galafar bowed and walked the two inside

After a few minutes of walking they entered a large room, at the far end sat in a throne, Queen Shafar her self, around her were the Dragon nobles and her advisers and a few more of her Consorts, Galafar walked up and knelt, Aventha nd Jess did the same behind him
"Queen Shafar, I bring you, Aventh, Guardian of the Land" Galafar said
Shafar stood up, she was very slender and had a gracefulness and beauty that seemed to surpass anything a "Land Walker" could poses, she carried with her an air of Wisdom and Charisma, a medal of the years she had lived, she wore long flowing robes that matched her figure perfectly and gave a gentle warm smile that seemed to melt all your worries away
"Aventh, my Child... it is good to see you once again" Shafar said, her voice easing and quieting the room immediately
Aventh looked up and smiled "And it is good to see you again your highness"
"What is it that you want from us?" Shafar asked
Aventh still kneeling gave a serious look "Your Highness... I wish that you prepare your Dragons for battle" Aventh said, the room broke out into talk amongst the various advisers, nobles and Consorts around the room.
Shafars smile turned into a frown "Aventh... Why do you request something like this? you are not a man to take things lightly, what calls for you to ask the Dragons to take action?"
Aventh gave a frown "The Old Gods have begun to awaken, the Uzkul move once again" Aventh said and once again the room broke into talk
"Do you know the reason?" Shafar asked
"I believe that it has to do with the "World Resurrection" and the left over life magic" Aventh said
"Can you confirm what "Fallens" have been awakened" Shafar asked
"No... But I can tell you that the Dwarves and Gnomes of Jahan are locked in battle with them, a battle of survival" Aventh said
"Aventh... I have herd your request, but I must talk it over with the others... is there anything else I can do for you?" Shafar said giving another kind smile
"I wish to take back the equipment I left here many years ago" Aventh said
"Very well... Galafar, fetch our guest his equipment and lead them too the guest rooms, Aventh... I shall have your answer within a few days" Shafar said
"Thank you your highness" Aventh said as him and Jess were led out of the room by Galafar.

it had been a day before Galafar came with news of the Queens decision, the decision was that they would be heading out in at the least 10 hours, Aventh had thanked Galafar and gone off to prepare. Jess sat in the room, she was anxious to get back, the 10 hours she would have to wait to even start going back seemed too long, after what seemed to be nearly an hour Aventh came back into the room, Jess almost didn't recognize him
"Aventh... whats up with those clothes?" Jess asked looking at Aventh
Aventh wore a tight fitting vest along with a pair of legs and hand cuffs on either wrist going up a few inches on his arms, around his waist he had a Belt attached to it small pouches, plenty of Kunai, and some rolled up scrolls, on his back a small backpack probably filled with more tools from battle Jess had guessed from the rest of his get up.
"We are going into battle... and I don't plan on Holding back" Aventh said and then looked at Jess, he noticed she was anxious to get back but didn't want to tell her to hurry up and go, she came on this trip so she could help, not become halfhearted and return early.
"Jess... I need you to head back" Aventh started Jess immediately looked up and began to speak but Aventh spoke up over her "I need you to go to Bal'Azul and Tell someone that I am on my way with reinforcements... not to mention your magic will come in use and news of my return will help raise moral"
"But Aventh... dont you need me here?" Jess said
"Don't worry... it will be pretty uneventful here for the time being, your skills will be of more use for me and Bal'Azul if you return quickly" Aventh said as he opened the door and a small dragon landed at the entrance
"This Dragon will be getting you there fast and effectively" Aventh said
Jess nodded and got on the Dragon, the Dragon flapped its wings and took to the air
"Im counting on your Jess" Aventh said and waved as she disappeared from sight, flying out of a large hole at the top of the cavern.

Galafar was standing off to the side when Natalie had left, Aventh turned and looked at him waiting for him to say something, soon enough he did
“Shooing your friend away?” Galafar asked “Are you sure that wise?”
“She already has to much on her mind, anything else would be troublesome” Aventh said “So, what we talked about earlier, has it escalated?”
Galafar gave a sigh and a nod “You bet, although the Queen did manage to pass the action of moving out, many of the nobles heavily disagreed and it seems to be splitting up the council, though at this point things should be pretty quiet since the preparations for moving out have already started it would be too late for them to do anything, but they have convinced a large portion of the population to stay behind, the amount of Dragons you had hoped for has been cut in half atleast, only about 20,000 of us will be heading out with you” Galafar said
Aventh was already reading a book when he looked up and gave a nod “Ill deal, for the time being though I need rest” he said
“We have guards for you” Galafar said as two Dragons in armor came up and stood at either side of his door
“Thank you” Aventh said and closed the door locking it behind him
“Well then” Galafar said turning around “I suppose I should go help with preparations”